Strong National Museum of Play

The museum offers more than 30 permanent and temporary exhibits covering different aspects of play, from dolls and toys to board games, video games, pinball machines, comic books, literary characters, and more. Kids can run the shop at Wegmans Super Kids Market, while visitors can construct, create, and invent in the Play Lab, take a ride on the carousel or mini train, challenge themselves to the Skyline Climb ropes course and zipline, or walk through a lush garden with hundreds of butterflies at the indoor Butterfly Garden.

Single-day tickets are available, though with so much to see and do, visitors may want to opt for a 2-day ticket or an annual pass. The museum is easy to visit independently or combine with other attractions in downtown Rochester, such as the Rochester Contemporary Art Center or the Rochester Museum and Science Center.

• Discounted entry is available for online purchases, college students, veterans, and SNAP recipients.

• A museum map, audio tours, and an augmented reality app are all available for download.

• The Butterfly Garden, Skyline Climb, Strong Express Train, and Elain Wilson Carousel require an additional fee for museum entry.

• Closed-toe and closed-back shoes are required for the Skyline Climb. Skirts and dresses are not allowed on the climb.

• All museum entrances and exhibits are wheelchair accessible; complimentary wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

• There’s a gift shop and three dining venues on-site. Museum entry is required to access the dining venues. Visitors can bring certain food but must eat it in the food court.

The museum is located at One Manhattan Square in downtown Rochester. Driving visitors can take I-490 to Exit 15 (east) or Exit 16 (west). Paid parking is available on site and at nearby municipal parking garages. Several stops on the RTS bus system are within walking distance of the museum. Taxis and rideshares are also available.

The museum is open daily from 10am to 5pm, with extended hours to 8pm on Fridays and Saturdays and holiday closures on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. The museum offers early entry as part of its Sensory Friendly Sunday program for visitors with sensory needs. Half-price admission is available during certain Friday evenings, while discounts are available for seniors on Mondays year-round. The museum also hosts special events from time to time.

The museum is home to three halls of fame, located on its second story: explore some of the most iconic toys in the National Toy Hall of Fame; learn the stories of the people behind the games in the Toy Industry Hall of Fame; and discover the most influential video games and electronic games in the World Video Game Hall of Fame.